Hyderabad: BRS senior leader and MLC Dasoju Sravan has raised serious concerns over the state government’s decision to centralize the procurement of groceries and essential commodities for lakhs of impoverished students studying in SC, ST, BC, minority, and welfare residential schools and hostels. In a strongly worded statement, Sravan alleged that there was a conspiracy to embezzle crores of rupees in commission behind these centralized tenders.
Questioning District Collectors' Capabilities
In a letter addressed to Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and Chief Secretary K Rama Krishna Rao on Saturday, the MLC questioned the logic behind centralization. He argued that if a district collector can successfully execute complex land acquisitions, manage irrigation projects worth hundreds of crores, oversee the public distribution system (PDS/Ration shops), handle housing schemes, and seamlessly conduct highly sensitive elections, why would they lack the basic capability to procure quality red gram and cooking oil for hostels within their own districts?
Threat to Local Farmers and Students' Nutrition
Sravan emphasized that the government was snatching away the home-grown Telangana brand Tandur Red Gram, which holds an international Geographical Indication (GI Tag) and possesses the highest nutritional value, from the meals of poor residential students. He alleged that for the personal profit of corporate contractors, plans are underway to bypass local farmers and instead import cheap, substandard, long-stored pulses from African countries such as Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. These imports, he claimed, carry heavy chemical and pesticide residues, posing a health risk to students.
Violation of Transparent Guidelines
As per the transparent guidelines followed by the Telangana State Food Corporation (TSFC), grocery tenders must be called once every three months (quarterly). This system ensures that students get fresh crops rather than stale warehouse leftovers and allows the state exchequer to benefit dynamically when market prices drop. Sravan argued that the centralized tender notification violates these established norms.
Demand for Scrapping Centralized Tenders
The MLC demanded that the government completely scrap this highly controversial centralized grocery tender notification and restore transparent, accountable procurement through the established District Procurement Committees (DPCs). He urged the government to prioritize the welfare of students and local farmers over corporate interests.
